Have a look for this years race thread there are some comments about the course on that.

It was a good race for its first year but had some rough edges that will hopefully be sorted out.

The pasta party was poor and so were the post race food imo. If it was raining the events stage and area behind transition would have been not to pleasant.

Swim was good, straight, rolling start, with an island turn after about one mile, easy to sight. Short run to transition.

Bike was a mixed bag, 5k long (really), and not as flat as you'd think. Some horrible bits on cobbles in places, and a couple of bits where it was open to other cyclists and pedestrians. Hopefully they will modify the route, if it was wet the cobbles would have been lethal. Hard to get much momentum as there were a lot of dead turns. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as bad as Bolton, but for a time trialler it wasn't great. The cauberg was good though.

I liked the run, despite not having a great day, a couple of climbs and you went out of the town at one point. Great through town and finishing in the marketplace.

If they can improve the bad bits of the bike it would be a great race.

I stayed about 2k from the centre as I drove, it was near a huge conference area. There were buses and trains but you needed to get used to the times etc. And had to get a taxi on race day. Probably better staying in the centre if you book early enough and are willing to pay a few quid more, but it also depends on how you get there. Parking was expensive everywhere.

Have a look for this years race thread there are some comments about the course on that.

It was a good race for its first year but had some rough edges that will hopefully be sorted out.

The pasta party was poor and so were the post race food imo. If it was raining the events stage and area behind transition would have been not to pleasant.

Swim was good, straight, rolling start, with an island turn after about one mile, easy to sight. Short run to transition.

Bike was a mixed bag, 5k long (really), and not as flat as you'd think. Some horrible bits on cobbles in places, and a couple of bits where it was open to other cyclists and pedestrians. Hopefully they will modify the route, if it was wet the cobbles would have been lethal. Hard to get much momentum as there were a lot of dead turns. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't as bad as Bolton, but for a time trialler it wasn't great. The cauberg was good though.

I liked the run, despite not having a great day, a couple of climbs and you went out of the town at one point. Great through town and finishing in the marketplace.

If they can improve the bad bits of the bike it would be a great race.

I stayed about 2k from the centre as I drove, it was near a huge conference area. There were buses and trains but you needed to get used to the times etc. And had to get a taxi on race day. Probably better staying in the centre if you book early enough and are willing to pay a few quid more, but it also depends on how you get there. Parking was expensive everywhere.

Jeff

agree on most of it
swim 9/10: great course, a bit congested at the turn-around but overall amazing swim course

bike: difficult to rate. If you tell me you go on that course for a granfondo, then I grab my road bike and I will have lot of fun. But for an ironman race, expecting it "flattish", "safe" and clean...I would say it is a little bit crazy! If you get rain on that course, many people would go to the hospital. Also some tight spots which can be dangerous with a group of riders. You have so many curves, 90 degrees, cobblestones, also a stretch with some gravel and it turns to be a "slow" course even if you get only 600meters total ascent.
Honestly, despite several fast flat stretches, if I had to go again, I would ride with my road bike with short aero bars on it.

run: it is a 3 loops and you have maybe 3km in the old city which is very nice. then you have a flat stretch in the countryside, back and forth of maybe 3-4km where you see all the way through the turnaround point and that was a killer for my mental challenge. Also the small hill you have to repeat 3 times, at the 3rd loop can be a mountain!

Overall, if they improve the bike course, it is a race to be done again

If it's flat you want, Challenge Almere is your poison. A high point on the course of just 3m. Yes, 10 feet. (Mind you I think it goes below sea level in places and the wind is going to be a sod...)
_________________Not so much a six pack as a barrel!

Totally agre Plissken...its the bike course that lets the race down. You just don't get the momentum, too many dead turns etc etc
Hope they get it sorted as the atmosphere in the square at the finish is great!

How did people get to Maastricht? Flying to Maastricht seems like the best option as it is so close to the race instead of going to Brussels but it seems there are very few direct flights UK to Maastricht.

Visit Holland 3-4 times a year (other half is Dutch)....my questions are a little general, but thought I'd post her for thoughts:

1. I've found a really nice place for my family and inlaws. It's 20 miles away from the centre of Maastricht. Am I best to be closer? Travel in won't be a problem on day I guess / hope...the father in law has offered to drop me off at silly o clock hour

2. Am I right in thinking you pick up all your gear the following day? (Monday)

2. Am I right in thinking you pick up all your gear the following day? (Monday)

I don't know about this specific event, but at every other IM I've done they've wanted you to take your stuff on the night of the race and they usually specify that transition won't be secure after a specific time. The next morning, they are usually well on the way to dismantling transition.
_________________2016: Just riding my bike....
Hot Chillee ride captain (sponsored by WattBike, Cervelo, Mavic, Lazer, Continental, Le Marq, Garmin, Sportique, Pro-Cycle Insurance, Maserati)